aposiopesis

American  

[ap-uh-sahy-uh-pee-sis] / ˌæp əˌsaɪ əˈpi sɪs /

noun

Rhetoric.

plural

aposiopeses

1. a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed.

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aposiopesis British  

/ ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpiːsɪs, ˌæpəʊˌsaɪəˈpɛtɪk /

noun

1. rhetoric the device of suddenly breaking off in the middle of a sentence as if unwilling to continue

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Other Word Forms

• aposiopetic adjective

Etymology

Origin of aposiopesis

1570–80; < Late Latin < Greek: literally, a full silence, equivalent to aposiōpē- (verbid stem of aposiōpáein to be fully silent; apo- apo- + siōpáein to be silent) + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

And the novel's final line, from inside Valentine's head, is a typical and brilliant Fordian aposiopesis: "She was setting out on …" It could end there.

From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2012

Yes, but—Richard used the device of aposiopesis; Daniel Dabbs took it for a humorous effect and began a roar, which was summarily interdicted.

From Demos by Gissing, George

And he turned away with a shrug to point his admirable aposiopesis.

From Witching Hill by Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William)

Raphael, Michael Angelo, Wiertz, Reynolds——” He paused, not in order to produce the effect of a dramatic aposiopesis, but because he could not for the moment remember other names of painters.

From The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol by Ball, Alec

By judicious selection, by innuendo, here a pitying aposiopesis, there an indignant outburst, the charges are heaped up.

From Adventures in Criticism by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir